Medical and Health

Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Cholera, Rabies, Tetanus, Tuberculosis and Typhoid are all present to some extent in Morocco, so make sure vaccinations are up to date.

People with chronic liver disease (existing condition) should take extra care as hep A inflames the liver.

Although Morocco is in North Africa, for insurance purposes it’s usually zoned under Europe.

Britain doesn’t have a health care agreement with Morocco, so your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) won’t be of any use if you need emergency medical treatment inside the country.

But take your EHIC card with you anyway as your insurer will probably waive the excess if they need to move you to a hospital in nearby Gibraltar, France or Spain.

Doctors and Hospitals

Outside the main cities and towns healthcare facilities are basic. Few medical staff speak English.

Initial emergency treatment is sometimes free, but even in state run hospitals you’ll be charged for most things (scans, blood tests, x-rays, medication, overnight hospital stays).

British tourists in need of hospital care will be taken to a private hospital or clinic where treatment is pricey, so it’s vital to have comprehensive medical insurance including cover for repatriation costs.

Medical facilities are scarce in desert areas in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, although the main cities of Smara, Laayoune and Dhakla have hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.

If you fall ill or have a serious accident in a remote area, you’ll need to be airlifted to a major Moroccan city such as Agadir, Casablanca or Rabat, possibly even France or Spain, for treatment.

In certain cases your insurer will organise repatriation to a UK hospital.